jigokulogs | March 2022 Mini Event

March 2022 Mini Event

MAIN NAVIGATION

The Night Parade is fast-approaching and each faction will be busy with their own preparations.

1. SHUTEN CLAN

The Celestial Phoenix Casino, a fairly popular casino in the Shuten territory, is overdue on its protection money. This money is sorely needed for parade preparations. Unfortunately, the casino has decided it doesn't need to pay up because they've hired some new unaffiliated muscle. Neither the manager nor their new muscle are the type to listen to reason, so be prepared to exert some intimidation and force to convince these new bodyguards to take their business elsewhere.

The brute squad working for the Celestial Phoenix seems to be made up of several different youkai. Some of them are more human looking than others, but you'll notice no Oni. Even independent Oni wouldn't dare turn against the Shuten Clan. Even lacking in Oni, these thugs are armed to the teeth, swinging several deadly weapons and even a few firearms. This could get rough, so be prepared for the worst. Take the gangsters protecting the Celestial Phoenix out or convince them it’s not worth it.

Once inside, you'll discover that the owner, in a panic, has locked himself inside the casino's value with the protection money owed. This might take some doing to get open...

2. SUTOKU ALLIANCE

The Kappa want to be left alone and the Daitengu has asked Sutoku Alliance members to assure their wishes are respected. Members are tasked with convincing people to stay away from the Kappa's riverside facilities by whatever means necessary. Of course, you may want to take a look for yourself to see what they’re being so secretive about. That’s not recommended, if you don’t want to get into trouble.

It’s not just strangers who are nosy, though. Retinues from both the Shuten and Tamamo clans are making an appearance and asking why the inspections are taking so long. Why are the Kappa dragging their feet? The Alliance prefers to avoid direct violence, so it's up to you to talk to these clan captains in a way that convinces them to leave the Kappa alone.

If you're curious enough to dive deeper into the Kappa's business, however, even your Alliance membership isn't going to keep you safe. The Kappa themselves seem to disappear from sight the further into the sewers you go, as if invisible. Preventing yourself from being spotted by a security camera or a patrolling Kappa is almost impossible. Cover your faces, stick to the shadows, and you might just notice that... they’re building something down there.

Something for the Parade? Who knows? But it’s definitely not decorations or a float...

3. DEPARTMENT OF THE ENMA

The parade route for the Night Parade needs to be "cleaned up". The Department is tasked with getting the low level street gangs and squatters to clear out. The homeless population will resist and may not be so easily persuaded to give up their spots. Your best bet is to offer them food, booze, or shelter for the night. The street gangs will assuredly fight back. Use your strength or your wits to get the job done.

The gangs will not typically be that tough, most don’t want to step up to the Department's goon squad too heavily lest they wind up in a cell for the rest of their lives. Still, some might be hopped up on encouraging substances and try to escalate. Don’t worry, though. You have the authority of the Enma on your side! Don’t think they will get away with waving a weapon in your face.

The homeless, though, lack strength or weapons. They are more fueled by desperation to keep their spots. Winter hasn't been kind to them, after all, and they don’t have much respect for the Enma's authority. Their belligerent behavior is loud, and often violent despite their absence of means to properly defend themselves. At worst, they’ll probably try to use biological warfare. Don’t ask what's in those bottles...

4. TAMAMO CLAN

Parade costumes need to be designed, crafted, modeled, and then likely mended knowing the rough and tumble yokai. The textile shops and tailors of the area need Tamamo Clan members to help them out. Costumes vary from extremely ornate to extremely sexy. These costumes need to merge form and function, for the Tamamo clan parade marchers that means they need to be able to sell their specific wares while wearing them. (wink wonk)

None of the costumes are floor ready and the shop bosses urge you that these cannot be seen by the public until they are ready. This won’t stop some peeping toms and tammies from trying to scope out the goods. Most of the voyeurs are spying for perverted reasons, but some are from shops outside of Tamamo’s influence trying to copy the designs for themselves. Either way, Tamamo Clan members aren't expected to be just pretty faces. So rough’em up.

5. TASTE TEST (ALL FACTIONS)

For those less interested in their faction's work, the restaurants in the Tamamo territory also need help finalizing their menu offerings for the Night Parade. Taste testers and creative cooks wanted! These aren’t just any dishes though and may have some interesting effects. One may be so spicy that everything burns, your face turns red, and you need to cool yourself off. Or maybe your dish is so good that you need to take a nap – it doesn't matter where you are, you'll just fall asleep right on the spot. Another possibility is a dish that gives you unstoppable energy – literally. It will make you want to get up and go and never stop moving. If you stop moving, it may cause a bigger problem.

Welcome to the mini event!

If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Lecture you...

[ That would be a first, him handing out some long and reprimand on to someone else when he has always been on the receiving end tied down to hear every single word his older brother has to say due to his antics or rare occasions of carelessness. It would certainly be a change of pace, it would be an experience. But even if it might be amusing in a sense to be on the other side — no — he isn't going to go as far as to act akin to his sibling. ]

Goodness. No.

[ He shakes his head for good measure. ]

As for what you believe. How certain are you that they wouldn't eventually send someone down here? The Kappa seem to be fairly busy.

Okay, okay. I've had my fun. [ He can't help a short laugh. But it was time they got serious, got down to business, and perhaps working together they could solve the mystery that surrounded the Kappa's work. ] I guess we better make good use of our time. Now, how have you been keeping track of the areas you've already explored. Let me tell you, there are plenty of winding paths down here.

[since no Kappa are suddenly doubling back to jump on them, he allows himself a moment to sag back against the crate and let out a long, half-relieved, half-bemused huff. whoever this boy is, whatever he's up to, at least he's not short on nerves.]

Ack, and here I was afraid you were going to keep trying to sell me that story. Yes, don't worry; my memory for places isn't nearly so bad as my memory for names. I can probably sketch a map when we get out of here, though I don't know how much good it will do--I swam some of the way.

[ Free to move as he wishes, he leans against the second crate crossing his arms all the while smiling. Contended with himself, the fact that he is exploring down here, then he can give the man beside him some momentary peace. Xingqiu allows him to collect himself and initiate the next line of dialogue. And after all, there are things to be known if they are to collaborate down here. ]

No, although I cannot deny the temptation was there but as I stated previously it's best if we make good use of our time here. [ A mirthful soft laugh soon escapes him. ] As for your lack of talent recollecting names, now you're enticing me, sir. Imagine, if you truly can't recall a name given. Why I could name myself as I please. But again, I plan to give my full attention to exploration.

[ After a moment, he produces a piece of chalk. ] I do believe my memory to be a good one, especially recollecting details but I prefer assurances, at least, I do wish to eventually leave this place. Now as for your talent in map-making, well, perhaps that is something else to collaborate on.

[ Standing up straight, a signal he is ready to go, he takes the first step on their collaborative journey. ] Xingqiu, at your service. Now let us continue, but may I make a minor recommendation. Lets not test the waters here.

Ah, a pleasure, young master Xingqiu -- if that is your real name. This humble one is called Wei Yuandao.

[part of it is caution, but he also can't resist needling him, just a little, by giving a half-false name. he's masked, and they're in a whole different place, aren't they? Xingqiu could introduce himself as whatever name he pleased. Wei Wuxian could too. they could claim to be the Guanyin incarnated into human form, or undercover agents from the Heavens infiltrating Hell, if they pleased. it's hard to verify a lie of that sort down here; it's not like they can look at each others' contracts or overhear details of each others' entrance interviews into the faction, at least not without a lot more influence.]

And I wasn't planning on it? I got out of the water because I'd started not being able to really see the Kappa in there. Kind of a damper on things to drown halfway through the reconnaisance, hm?

[that all said, he does match pace with him, though, warily scanning for the sounds of guards, or the soft mechanical whirr of cameras overhead.]

Edited 2022-03-28 04:38 (UTC)

[ There would be no surprise if he received a false name (actually it's more of an expectation), but this would only lead to the man before him forever labeled by the name provided even if he were to make a correction in the future. Perhaps, that's why that smile doesn't waver as the suspicion lingers. But he won't comment on the name, Wei Yuandao strides along with him but also gave him room for thought. It's best not to worry, not to allow concern to waltz in, and yet he can't help but wonder out loud in the presence of a virtual stranger. Perhaps that's what makes it easier to speak. ]

Young master... Hmm... I do hope poor Xu hasn't embarked on some perilous journey through the countryside in search of me. At least I can be assured he wouldn't be easily duped into offering up any mora for information about my location. [ Unlike a certain someone else. ] Well, I'm sure he'll manage to handle things during my absence.

So we'll handle things here. But my warning is not due to the Kappa being obscured by the murky depths, rather well, the connection here leads to polluted waters. I guess I should also add from my recent venture into research, I found that according to legend the Kappa have a penchant for drowning people.

[ As for guards, he may be chatting away but he is listening. Cameras are easier to be dealt with. Just stay out of the line of sight, but upon the next encounter with one, a different approach is made. ]

Wait here. I'm going to have a closer look.

[ Can he climb the steep, smooth walls of the sewer, apparently he can. And when he reaches for the camera it's not securely affixed. A rushed job surely to install new security measures so when his fingers graze it, the device topples off its mount, bounces with a clatter along the floor, and then dives into foul waters. ]

Do you think I'll have to pay for that? Hm. I don't have the funds required presently, I did invest in a second phone recently you see. But I've had great luck at the betting parlor.

[Wei Wuxian, for his part, mostly remains quiet for a while until prompted, though he's certainly learning a lot. not that he minds a good conversation, usually, but he doesn't have the same apparent confidence that he can just get away from pursuit no matter what. so he's leaving himself some space to book it in the other direction, if things get too heated down here and the chatter draws too much attention too soon for them to continue to sneak along together.]

--hah, if you plan to knock down more, let me just catch them. We can probably avoid unnecessary fees if they simply don't know it's us down here.

[frowns]

And wait--that makes no sense. The Kappa aren't undead; they shouldn't want to swim in polluted water, or to make the innermost part of this whole setup only reachable by land. I'll bet you they're keeping at least one waterway clear for themselves for easy access? If we can follow them and find it, that's a quick pointer towards their secret.

[he didn't research Kappa in particular, but he grew up hunting the supernatural in his home's lakes and waterways, and he's familiar with sluice-gates and other systems to divert and redirect water. he can make some fairly educated guesses himself; it's why he'd risked a trip down here on his own, with (originally) no assistance.]

[ Jumping down from where he climbed, he lands lightly enough on his feet, there is no point in trying to look into murky waters. The camera likely lost all function and sank to a place he isn't willing to reach into. When his attention returns to Wei Yuandao, the distance is noted but not commented upon. It's a sound move when he has continuously kept up a conversation, though his voice is not loud, down here it seems to echo. But if Sutoku Alliance members are not to be down here then didn't that only leave Kappa to guard these tunnels?

He takes a moment to consider this, along with the suggestion voiced by his exploration companion. True. That was a valid point, he cannot imagine any creature wanting to wade within a polluted stream. ]

You make a valid point. I hadn't considered that as I am unsure how they fully function. For all we know they enjoy swimming through contaminated waters, honestly, I am still unsure if what I read applies here.

Well, let's continue, and if I do decide to fetch any more of those things, I'll be sure to hand them to you. [ The cameras he means. ]

[Wei Yuandao -- heh -- offers him a little gesture of acknowledgement, almost a salute.]

I don't know if I want to risk taking their equipment back, but I must admit, I do want to bring one home to take apart. Maybe they sell them in the shops somewhere, though, that's less suspicious...

[he's pacing to the edge of the waterway they're currently next to, trying to peer along the tunnel and see how far it goes, if it forks .hm, he can't really tell yet. he tests the current with a fingertip, checking the direction, and then carefully wipes it off and points upstream, where it might be redirected off something bigger]

Let's try that way.

Less suspicious yes, but exorbitantly expensive. [ A second of thought, a tilt of his head. ] Depending on the quality. For the model used here — I didn't get a chance at a good look.

[ He speaks all the while watching the other's work, he understands the concept behind testing for the current but even he isn't sure if he would immediately go that route. Some men are braver than others, but it's all for exploration and discovery, though there are no treasures to be found here only information. If they can get a glimpse of what the Kappa are up to. ]

I'll follow your lead then.

Well, don't complain too much if it's wrong, hm? I know a lot about waterways, but built water systems can be a little more unpredictable.

[not wanting to get caught by the guard aside, he also doesn't want to linger here longer than required. luckily, he was telling the truth, and he does have a much better head for directions than people; he isn't likely to get them turned around.

they'll follow the bends of the waterway for a while, finding the join, continuing to go with what the Kappa's machinations currently have set as upstream; a couple of times they have to duck away from the Kappa guards again. eventually it's noticeable that there are more guards in the area than in the outer edges if the sewer network, so that's a good sign they're on the right path, even if the clear waterway they're looking for hasn't appeared yet.

at one point Wei Wuxian asks:]

Are you able to tell if they've been in the water at all? Ack, the deeper we get, the harder it is to tell anything about them...

[he wishes he knew how to duplicate that effect. it'd be so good for future illicit missions.]

Don't you mean don't complain at all?

[ Which he won't do, in the end, he has no true idea how these waterways function. He has been guiding himself through intuition and marking his way with that piece of chalk he showed Wei Yuandao earlier, by those standards he should be completely clueless but he has done his own fair share of exploration. Perhaps, he is just fortunate in having crossed paths with the man now leading the way.

Through the darkened tunnels he follows along, not a peep out of him any longer, it feels like they're getting somewhere quickly, somewhere unknown. Each turn, bend of the way, a guard posted here or there to be avoided. But the further they go, the more secure the area becomes. Sooner or later, he knows the possibility of getting caught hangs in the air.

But their reward feels closer than ever.

In a low whisper, a voice used ever so often when detailing his own secrets he speaks. ]

If they've been within the stream then shouldn't it be obvious? The Kappa would show signs of being wet.

[ Maybe that's not so clear with these creatures? Using his own vision in the past there was that resulting application, but it really is too dark. Perhaps if they walked through this path as well they left a trail. That's why he kneels then feels about. ] It's dry here. If they made use of the waterway before, then it may have been some time.

[equally low]

I can't see them well. That damned camouflage they're using...ugh.

[he'd been hoping maybe he was just overtired, but if Xingqiu isn't seeing it either, they'll just have to assume they're not close yet. Or his theory is wrong, and the Kappa are using only walkways this far in after all.]

Nothing to do but keep going...

[they'll just have to hope they catch a break before the Kappa catch them.]

You know it's funny but I am seeing very little resistance to our intrusion, further, I am sure they must have imagined that they would have foreseen plenty of us getting down here. It's not so difficult to shirk duty or act in pretense to find a method to get down here.

There really are no obstacles when you think about.

Well, aside from these tunnels practically being a maze. We are getting further and further somewhere. At this point, I am not sure where we're going to end up. There are certainly more Kappa about but...

[ He stops. Not just speaking, his steps come to a halt. Then he motions ahead. Where they once followed a single path, it now forks into three tunnels. And that's another problem now. ]

What do you think of that?

Hm...well, I don't have terribly fancy tricks for this one, young master. Either we split up to check them faster, or we pick one together and hope for the best. What'll it be? We can hope the Kappa are mostly focused on construction here either way, and their guard's down.

[he doesn't address the 'no resistance' part further than that; he feels like the length and complexity of the trip is obstacle enough for him, at this point. maybe he wouldn't feel that way if he were at his best, but the resentful energy makes him feel the aches and pains of exertion more, the long swim and the tense stretches of dashing and crouching at length. he's more tired than he's letting on.]

Let's hope they're building down one of those, and the noise echoes, at least.

I made no mention before but just my name will do well if you please.

[ Now give him a moment as he considers each and every open entrance they can take. They could split from here as suggested bringing an end to their cooperative work. They'd seek their own fortune down darkened paths that lead who knows where. Perhaps, one of these tunnels would truly end where the kappa were currently engrossed in their tasks. Or they may be all deadends. Who knows, there are various possibilities.

Finally, he shrugs turning towards Wei Yuandao. They're all practically the same, even attempting to look at the ground for any past steps to hint which way they should go gives him nothing. See, they've all been traversed through. They serve different purposes. ]

Let's say you and I take different routes here, wouldn't it be astoundingly unfortunate is we both made a wrong choice?

[ Unfortunate. Maybe even funny. That explains his short laugh. ]

Let's take some steps towards assurances.

Perhaps if we were to draw guards here, they may come from the route we must take. Of course, I can see how that plan may fail as well but at this point...

Ah, are you fussy about such things too? Xingqiu, then.

[he still isn't used to people's mixed standards for courtesy here compared to home, but he'll adjust, whatever.

the plan isn't bad. it's potentially going to get them swarmed, but so too would almost anything they did down here. he considers. what's a situation that would lure guards out? intruders? attack? intruders and attack? he misses having use of his talismans very badly; they would have been useful here.]

Shout an alarm, hide near the tunnel mouths, slip in right after they come out? We'll have to go very fast.

I'm not fussy at all, I would instead say I am accustomed to it. However — [ A pause, momentary reflection and he adjusts what he is going to say. ] Well it seems I'm not the sole individual who prefers their name used since according to you I am fussy about such things too.

[ But focusing back on the plan, there is also the possibility they may alert guards located back where they came from. This causes him to look back, well, there aren't too many options. They could take a chance, but luck can be fickle. It seems they've come to an agreement. ]

That we will. But it can't be guaranteed they'll continue on quickly. How is your condition? Well, I can't ask this of you so if it comes down to it and they must be led away, then I'll be the bait.

Aren't you being fussy right now...

[really, what a strange, touchy guy. ah, well, that seems like a conversation for when they're not in the mouth of the beast, though.]

I'm fine, I'm fine, and I'm quick enough on my feet. There's just too many either way, so if we need to lure them, whoever has the clearer escape route be the bait, ah?

What was that?

[ In a way, they're here alone with just the rippling sound of water that flows through the sewers as a backdrop of noise. He may not have picked up every whispered word but just a single one is enough for him to get an idea of what may have been said. He really is just teasing, even if he seems serious in his manner of speaking now.

But with the decision made. Now it only means making enough of a disturbance to alert the guards. ]

Got it, well, you know what we must do now. But after you. [ He almost seems to bow as he motions with his arm that he would follow the lead in making noise. Of course, if his companion isn't willing to initiate their plan then Xingqiu would be more than happy to with song. No, he isn't winning any awards for musical talent, even if the song is unknown to most as it was originally crafted by the young lady who runs the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, it's obvious that his singing is off key. ]

[Wei Wuxian sighs and waves off the question -- and, while he's not about to start shouting and let every Kappa in the area know what he sounds like, he does draw a black flute from his sleeve, and puts it to his lips...

it's. well. it does certainly make a lot of noise. it's not that he's playing it badly, but the tune is high and unearthly and wholly unsettling, resounding off the narrow walls of the surrounding tunnels into a cacophony of hair-raising music...]

Edited 2022-04-17 19:21 (UTC)

[ Yeah... that is eerie, enough that he quiets down and listens. Stout of heart, he isn't easily frightened but even he can sense the disquiet in the melody rendered from the instrument. He does stand still, taking in each note, but soon enough he knows he has to make some move and listen for something other than the sound of the flute. Steps, shouts, anything that would indicate they have gotten anyone's attention. It almost feels too long that there is no sound that they've alerted anyone but after a moment there are steps, hurried, echoing within the passageway, or rather the source is one of the tunnels.

His gaze settles on the middle one, and he motions towards it. Before ducking off to an adjacent one, hopefully, whoever or whatever is coming won't bother to seek them through the neighboring tunnels. ]

( ooc: if you want we can have them separate around here-ish? )

[he hangs back rather than sticking to his companion's side the whole way, and that's where things go to hell a bit: they were both listening hard for attention from down the tunnels, but there's a shout from behind them on the non-tunnel side, too, as the flute music ends up attracting attention from multiple sides.

Wei Wuxian startles, and--with very little time to make a decision, caught out in the open a crucial moment longer than Xingqiu--ends up fleeing for a different tunnel altogether, and out of Xingqiu's sight.]

((sounds good! if you had more plans for Xingqiu's side of this explore thread, we can handwave them meeting up again after getting chased around by the Kappa and keep it going a little longer. if not, i'm fine with wrapping it up here if you are!))

[ The loud shout that originates from where they came from causes Xingqiu to peer into the darkness they previously traversed. If he hopes to catch sight of anything, well he would be mistaken, but this is really what he had been afraid of happening when he proposed his plan, that guards would come from multiple directions. At least from what he can tell none are coming from the tunnel he has chosen.

Like his companion, he also flees the scene and all he can do is hope for the best. Perhaps one of them would come to find some valuable information. ]

( ooc: not much for plans and we can wrap up here and have them meet up somewhere else after info sharing maybe with the stuuufffff happening. but to handwaving their meeting Xingqiu will share that he continued leaving marks with chalk and if they do meet he will tell Wei Yuandao how to locate them and what each means, like if he wrote walnut it means there is a deadend ahead that type of thing. he did get some info from yuri about carts being moved about by the kappa but that's it. )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

March 2022 Mini Event

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject